Lodgepole Pine Firewood — BTU Rating, Burn Quality & Tips

Pinus contorta

BTU per Cord

17,700,000

Density

2,580 lbs/cord

Category

softwood

Split Difficulty

easy

Spark Rating

medium

Smoke Rating

medium

Coaling Quality

poor

Seasoning Time

6 months

Availability

regional

Common in the Rocky Mountain region. Burns reasonably well for a pine with moderate heat output. Easy to split with straight grain. Seasons quickly due to thinner trunks. Produces more creosote than hardwoods, so burn hot and clean your chimney regularly.

Pros

  • +Easy to split
  • +Seasons relatively quickly (6 months)

Cons

  • -Lower heat output
  • -poor coaling quality

Best Uses for Lodgepole Pine

Open Fireplace

Acceptable — use a screen

Wood Stove

Usable but lower heat

Campfire

Great — easy to light and splits easily

Smoking/Cooking

Not recommended — resinous flavor

Seasoning Lodgepole Pine

Lodgepole Pine requires approximately 6 months of seasoning to reach the ideal moisture content of 20% or below. Split wood to 3-6 inch pieces and stack with good airflow. Keep the top covered but leave sides open to air. Store off the ground on pallets or rails.

Compare With Similar Species

Eastern Red Cedar

18,200,000 BTU/cord · fair coaling

Ponderosa Pine

16,200,000 BTU/cord · poor coaling

Eastern Hemlock

15,900,000 BTU/cord · poor coaling

White Spruce

15,900,000 BTU/cord · poor coaling

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Last updated: December 2024